I was leaving him, just as I'd left Killian.
When night had cleared, I'd returned to find Cierthine lying beside a corpse.
If I abandoned Reese . . .
Cursing, I turned my elk around and ran toward the tide.
Chapter 20
Liam
Ihated being near the shadowlands.
Whispers danced at the edges of my thoughts, pricks of pain tugged at my skin. I felt an insatiable desire to wander toward the veil of darkness, to see what was inside.
If only these peasants could hurry up and flee a little quicker, I could leave it behind.
Ferris had ridden through the town, ordering all large fires to be doused. Wind had followed him, snuffing out torches and lanterns. A few handheld candles illuminated the night, guiding the last set of carriages.
When news first spread of a Paragon's arrival and the threat of massacre, several smaller groups had packed their bags and fled up the north road. Four carriages had been assembled to help carry those who couldn't make the journey on foot.
I leaned in the shadow of a porch, watching a young mother help an elderly woman into a wagon. These might be poor folk,abandoned on the fringes of society, but they would still flinch at the sight of me.
Nothing empowered the less fortunate quite like the ability to look down on someone else. To feel bigger. They might be poor, but at least they weren't foul-blooded, like me.
Most people treated me like filth. I'd stopped giving them the benefit of the doubt.
Two clusters of guards stood nearby, their gear varying in quality. One had a piece of plate, most wore chainmail, and some didn't even have helmets.
I didn't have high hopes for them.
A new light drew my attention away from the villagers. Solheart magic was different from the light cast by fires and stars. Theirs shone with golden radiance, warm and inviting.
To most people.
I hated Solhearts—their inquisitors most of all. Sometimes I saw their twisted faces in my dreams.
Hunting. Searching. Looking for the next heretic to hang.
That Paragon my sister had been assigned to dressed just like them: all black and white.
What would Reese do if he learned who I was?
The other inquisitors must have talked about me . . .
Leaving my hiding place, I approached the Solheart woman, Bláth. She cupped a floating ball of light in one hand, illuminating the path for a departing wagon. Her other hand was tucked in the pocket of her dark purple coat.
She turned, golden curls bouncing over her shoulder. "Have you seen Ferris?" She asked.
"No," I said, studying her attire.
She wore pants and sturdy boots. Forlaith didn't allow their noblewomen to wear pants in public; it was considered indecent.
"You know . . . ” I looked up. "You never did mention who you were."
"I'm a handmaiden," Bláth answered, wearing a cheerful smile. "For a Lavaire noble lady."
"Ah, I see," I said sarcastically. "A Solheart maid. That makes perfect sense."
